Electronic hearing protector with switchable electrical contacts

ABSTRACT

A battery-powered electronic device, such as an electronic hearing protector ( 100 ) includes a housing ( 113 ) enclosing the battery and an electronics assembly powered by the battery, the electronics assembly comprises a processor controlled by updatable software. The device further includes a first electrical contact ( 119   a ) that is a ground line; a second electrical contact ( 119   b ) that is a data programming line in a first state, and that is a charging voltage line in a second state; and a third electrical contact ( 119   c ) that is a clock line in a first state, and that is a charge enable line in the second state. The first, second and third electrical contacts ( 119   a - c ) are accessible from outside the housing ( 113 ). A switch enclosed by the housing ( 113 ) changes the second electrical contact ( 119   b ) between the first state and the second state.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT/US2017/048470, filed Aug. 24, 2017, which claims the benefit ofProvisional Application No. 62/380,581 filed Aug. 29, 2016, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its/their entiretyherein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic hearing protector. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to an electronic hearingprotector with switchable electrical contacts.

BACKGROUND

Hearing protection devices are used in a broad range of applications,including industrial, military and recreational activities. Oneparticular type of hearing protectors are in-ear pieces that areconfigured to fit in a user's ear, and may be similar in size to ahearing aid. Such a hearing protector functions to limit impulsivesounds (such as loud machinery or weaponry) to a safe level for theuser.

Because such environments can result in exposure to dirt, mud, water,and other elements, it is important to limit the number of apertures orother openings in such a device while still providing a way to rechargea power source in the device and update any software or settings on thedevice.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a battery-powered electronic device withswitchable electronic contacts. The switchable electronic contactsprovide several advantages. For example, it allows a single contact tobe used either as a data programming line or a voltage charging line,depending on the state of the device. This provides benefits such asallowing multiple functions to be accomplished with fewer electricalcontacts (or pins) than may otherwise be required. This can result in amore compact device, an important feature when the device is being wornin a user's ear. The device may also be easier to manufacture, morereliable and less susceptible to environmental damage because thereduced contacts and associated number of openings in a device housing.The present disclosure also allows flexibility with technology, allowingsoftware to be easily updated, upgraded or changed in a workingenvironment. For example, if a hearing protector consistent with thepresent disclosure is worn by a worker during the worker's shift, theworker could have the hearing protector attached to a device that bothcharges and reprograms or updates the software on the unit while theworker is not working.

In one instance, the present disclosure includes a battery-poweredelectronic device. The device includes a housing enclosing the batteryand an electronics assembly. The electronics assembly is powered by thebattery, and the electronics assembly comprises a processor controlledby updatable software. The device further includes a first electricalcontact that is a ground line; a second electrical contact that is adata programming line in a first state, and that is a charging voltageline in a second state; and a third electrical contact that is a clockline in a first state, and that is a charge enable line in the secondstate. The first, second and third electrical contacts are accessiblefrom outside the housing. A switch enclosed by the housing changes thesecond electrical contact between the first state and the second state.

In some instances, the switch is a multiplexer.

In some instances, the switch is an analog switch.

In some instances, the device comprises no more than three electricalcontacts accessible from the exterior of the housing.

In some instances, the switch is controlled by a filtered clock signal.

In some instances, data received on the data programming line updatesthe software.

In some instances, the device is an electronic hearing protector.

The present disclosure also includes a method of updating software on abattery-powered electronic device. The method includes providing abattery-powered electronic device. The device includes a housingenclosing the battery and an electronics assembly. The electronicsassembly is powered by the battery. The electronics assembly comprises aprocessor controlled by updatable software. The device further includesa first electrical contact that is a ground contact; a second electricalcontact that it is a data programming line in a first state, and that isa voltage charging line in a second state; and a third electricalcontact that is a clock line in a first state, and that is a chargeenable line in the second state. The first, second and third electricalcontacts are accessible from outside the housing. A switch enclosed bythe housing changes the second electrical contact between the firststate and the second state. The method further includes transmitting asoftware update to the processor through the second electrical contactwhen the second electrical contact is in the second state.

In some instances, the switch is a multiplexer.

In some instances, the switch is an analog switch.

In some instances, the device comprises no more than three electricalcontacts.

In some instances, the switch is controlled by a filtered clock signal.

In some instances the device is an electronic hearing protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary electronic hearing protection device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary battery powered electronicdevice.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the electrical components ina battery powered electronic device.

FIG. 4 shows voltage level of signals over time applied to electricalcontacts during a programming state for a battery powered electronicdevice.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of voltage levels over time as a battery poweredelectronic device charges.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing voltage levels for a clock signal and afiltered clock signal over time.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the electrical components ina battery powered electronic device.

It is to be understood that the embodiments may be utilized andstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers usedin the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understoodthat the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure isnot intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with thesame number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exemplary electronic hearing protection device 100. Anexemplary electronic hearing protection device 100 is typically suitablefor fitting into a human ear. By an electronic hearing protection device100 is means a device that substantially prevents ambient airborne soundfrom directly entering the ear canal, and that includes electroniccomponents that receive ambient airborne sound, convert the sound toelectronic signals, process the electronic signals, convert theprocessed electronic signals into processed sound, then emit theprocessed sound through a speaker port.

As shown in FIG. 1, device 1 includes two major components: eartip 140and earpiece body 110. Earpiece body 110 is configured (i.e., shaped andsized) to fit into the concha of a human user's ear and is configured toreceive sound, to perform appropriate signal processing and to emitprocessed sound through a speaker port.

Eartip 140 is configured (i.e., is shaped and sized and is comprised ofa material of suitable softness) to fit into the ear canal of the user'sear (which terminology broadly denotes that at least a portion of eartip140 fits into an outward portion of the ear canal and does not implythat the entirety of eartip 140 must be fitted into the ear canal).Eartip 140 is detachably attached to earpiece body 110 so that eartip140 can be removed and cleaned or replaced if desired. Eartip 140comprises a through-passage 141. By through-passage is meant thatpassage 141 extends through eartip 140 from outward end 146 to inwardend 147 and allows the passage of airborne sound therethrough. In atleast some embodiments, through-passage 141 is an internalthrough-passage, meaning that throughout all of its length, passage 141is radially surrounded by material of eartip 140 (rather than being e.g.a groove or channel that is open to a radially outermost surface ofeartip 140). Through-passage 141 (which may be at least generallyaligned with a long axis of eartip 140) comprises a first,sound-receiving opening that is acoustically mated to a speaker port ofearpiece body 110, and a second, sound emitting opening 145 that facestoward the inner ear of the user, so that processed sound that isemitted from the speaker port can be transmitted through internalthrough-passage 141 and directed therefrom toward the inner ear of theuser.

The fitting of at least a portion of eartip 140 into at least a portionof the ear canal externally occludes the ear canal. By externallyoccludes is meant that at least some radially outward surfaces (e.g.,surfaces 151) of the eartip are in sufficient contact with portions ofthe walls of the ear canal to substantially prevent ambient airbornesound from traveling along the ear canal in a space otherwise existingbetween the eartip and the ear canal walls so as to reach the inner ear.However, eartip 140 alone may not completely occlude the ear canal,because through-passage 141 might allow ambient airborne sound to traveltherethrough to reach the inner ear unless measures are taken to preventthis. Accordingly, the presence of earpiece body 110 (to which eartip 40is attached) serves to internally occlude eartip 40. By internallyoccludes is meant that earpiece body 110 substantially prevents ambientairborne sound from entering first, sound-receiving opening 142 ofeartip 140 while still allowing processed airborne sound to enteropening 142, as discussed in detail later herein.

The combination of the external occlusion of the ear canal achieved byeartip 140 and the internal occlusion of eartip 140 achieved by earpiecebody 110 can provide excellent overall occlusion of the ear canal andcan thus achieve a desired NRR (Noise Reduction Rating). Thus asdisclosed herein, earpiece body 110 performs two separate functions, oneelectronic and one physical. That is, earpiece body 110 does not merelyperform electronic processing (e.g., so-called level-dependentprocessing that allows high intensity sounds to be electronicallyreduced while low intensity sounds can be passed through or evenamplified); it also provides a physical barrier that ensures that entryof ambient airborne sound into the through-passage of the eartip issufficiently prevented so that a desirably high NRR can be achieved, asdiscussed in detail herein.

An exemplary earpiece body 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Earpiece body 110comprises a housing 113 which may be comprised of e.g. a moldedpolymeric material. In some embodiments, housing 113 may be formed bythe mating together of two major housing parts, e.g. inward and outwardmajor housing parts. Housing 113 is hollow so as to at least partiallydefine interior space which may contain any suitable electroniccomponents, one or more internal batteries, and so on. It will beappreciated that since housing 113 serves to protect various electroniccomponents forming an electronic assembly, a resiliently deformableand/or compressible material as may be used for eartip 140, may not besuitable for housing 113. That is, in at least some embodiments, housing113 may be comprised of a rigid material. In various embodiments,housing 113 may be comprised of an organic polymeric material (e.g., athermoplastic injection-molding resin) with a hardness of at least about70, 80, 90 or 100 on a Shore A scale.

Earpiece body 110 (e.g., housing 113 thereof) may comprise an internalbattery (not shown in any Figure), a microphone 117 for receivingambient airborne sound and for converting the received sound toelectronic signals, and an electronics assembly (also not shown) forprocessing the electronic signals, and a speaker (not shown) fortransducing the processed signals into airborne processed sound. Theelectronics assembly broadly encompasses any suitable components thatmay be desired to be used, e.g. one or more digital signal processors,analog-digital and/or digital-analog converters, data storage units,inductors, capacitors, resistors, and so on, whether such components arediscrete components (e.g. mounted on a circuit board) or are provided aspart of an integrated circuit. The electronics assembly is powered bythe battery enclosed by the housing.

The electronics assembly includes a processor controlled by updatablesoftware initially programmed onto the processor during themanufacturing process. The software can be updated or reprogrammed at alater time as described herein. The housing includes also includes threeor more electrical contacts (three such contacts are shown as 19 a, 19b, and 19 c in FIG. 1) by which an internal battery of device 100 can berecharged, and/or to allow communication with an external appliance(e.g. for configuring or programming device 100). One or more physicalalignment features (e.g., sockets or protrusions) 120 may be provided toaid in aligning earpiece body 110 with a recharging unit and/or anexternal appliance.

In come configurations, a first electrical contact 119 a is a groundline. A second electrical contact 119 b is a data programming line in afirst state and that is a charging voltage line in a second state. Athird electrical contact is a clock line in a first state, and is acharge enable line in the second state.

The first electrical contact 119 a, second electrical contact 119 b, andthird electrical contact 119 c are accessible from outside the housing.A switch enclosed by the housing changes the second electrical contactbetween a first state and a second state. In some instances, the switchis a multiplexer. In some instances, the switch is an analog switch. Insome instances, the device comprises no more than three electricalcontacts accessible from the exterior of the housing. Because thepresent disclosure provides for a small number of electrical contacts,it can provide benefits such as allowing multiple functions to beaccomplished with fewer electrical contacts (or pins) than may otherwisebe required. This can result in a more compact device, an importantfeature when the device is being worn in a user's ear. The device mayalso be easier to manufacture, more reliable and less susceptible toenvironmental damage because the reduced contacts and associated numberof openings in a device housing.

In some instances, the internal switch governing the state for thesecond electrical contact is controlled by a filtered clock signal. Insome instances, the data received on the data programming line updatesthe software. The data received on the data programming line may alsoconfigure (i.e., update or changes settings) on the software on theprocessor. When the second electrical contact is in a first state suchthat the device is receiving data for programming, a clock signal isprovided on the third electrical contact. The clock signal on the thirdelectrical contact is filtered to govern the state for the switch tiedto the second electrical contact during programming.

One or more external switches 121 (of any suitable type, e.g. atouch-sensitive switch) may be provided to perform any desired function(e.g., turning the device on and off, switching between settings,increasing or decreasing volume, attenuation/gain, or any otherparameter, and so on). That is, the term external switch is used broadlyto encompass any mechanism by which a user can vary any electronicoperating variable of device 1 between two or more settings throughphysical interaction with the device, whether in discrete steps or in acontinuous manner. If external switch 121 is a touch-sensitive switch,it may be of any suitable type, operating by any suitable mechanism(e.g., it might be an electrically-operating switch such as acapacitive, resistive, or piezo switch; or, it might be a mechanicalswitch).

A first general measure is that housing 113 of earpiece body 110 can beconfigured so as to minimize the entry of ambient airborne sound intointerior space 22 of earpiece body 10. This may be done by e.g.minimizing the number and size of any through-openings in housing 11. Inparticular embodiments, device 100 can include a rechargeable battery,such as a lithium ion battery, which eliminates the need for a batterydoor (with the term door being used broadly to encompass any kind ofopening, cover, etc., hinged or otherwise) through which a replaceablebattery could be removed. The ordinary artisan will appreciate that sucha battery door, even when closed, can comprise e.g. slit leaks thatmight allow ambient airborne sound to enter the interior space ofearpiece body 110. Thus in specific embodiments, housing 11 of earpiecebody 10 of device 1 does not comprise any battery door. Beyond this,housing 113, if made e.g. of two major housing parts that are matedtogether (assembled) to form housing 113, may be configured so as to notbe disassemblable by a user (e.g., to replace a battery) in ordinary useof device 100. That is, such major housing parts may be configured tofit together with very close tolerances (and/or to provide a circuitouspath through junction therebetween), and/or the junction between suchmajor housing parts may comprise any suitable gaskets, sealants,adhesives, and the like, as can e.g. provide a tight seal therebetween.Such provisions can further minimize the entry of ambient airborne soundinto the interior space of earpiece body 110.

Still further, the size and number through-openings in housing 113 thatmight be necessary e.g. to accommodate a component such as e.g. anelectrical connector, a switch, a microphone, and so on, can be designedto be minimized to obtain the advantages discussed herein. Further, insimilar manner as described with regard to the mating of major housingparts, any suitable gasket, sealant, adhesive, or the like, can be usedin mounting any such component to a through-opening in housing 113. Sucharrangements can further minimize the amount of ambient airborne soundthat is able to penetrate into the interior space of earpiece body 110.

The collective effect of such arrangements in minimizing the numberand/or magnitude of e.g. air leaks in housing 110 may be gauged by thedetermination of an Ingress Protection Rating for housing 110 and/or forany component thereof. Such a Rating can be determined in accordancewith Publication 60529 (Classification of Degrees of Protection Providedby Enclosures) as specified in 2013 by the InternationalElectrotechnical Commission. (It will be appreciated that for purposesof such testing, a speaker port of housing 110 can be sealed.) AnIngress Protection Rating (also known as an IP Code or InternationalProtection Rating) provides two numerical parameters. The firstparameter denotes the ability of an enclosure to resist the penetrationof solid objects, and has a scale of 0-6, with e.g. 0 indicating noprotection and 6 indicating protection from ingress of dust. The secondparameter denotes the ability of an enclosure to resist the penetrationof liquid, and has a scale of 0-7, with e.g. 0 indicating no protectionand 7 indicating protection from ingress of water upon immersion inwater to a depth of between 15 centimeters and 1 meter. In variousembodiments, housing 110 of device 1 may exhibit an Ingress ProtectionRating of at least IP56, IP57, or IP66. In specific embodiments, housing110 may exhibit an Ingress Protection Rating of IP67.

In the discussions herein, various devices, components and arrangementshave been characterized as e.g. “substantially preventing” the passingof airborne sound waves. It will be understood that such terminologydoes not require that such a device, component or arrangementnecessarily provide an absolute barrier to airborne sound. Rather, theonly requirement signified by this terminology is that all suchcomponents and arrangements collectively provide sufficient barrierproperties to airborne sound that device 1, comprising eartip 40 andearpiece body 10 as disclosed herein, is capable of functioning asdisclosed herein. An electronic hearing protection device 100 consistentwith the present disclosure may have additional features as described infurther detail in United States Published Patent Application2015/00139474 to Henry.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary battery powered electronicdevice 200. While a battery powered electronic device has been discussedin the present disclosure in the context of an electronic hearingprotection device, the present disclosure applies more broadly tobattery powered electronic devices. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of anexemplary battery powered electronic device 200 consistent with thepresent disclosure.

Housing 200 contains electronics assembly 220. Electronics assembly 220broadly encompasses any suitable components that may be desired to beused, e.g. one or more digital signal processors, analog-digital and/ordigital-analog converters, data storage units, inductors, capacitors,resistors, and so on, whether such components are discrete components(e.g. mounted on a circuit board) or are provided as part of anintegrated circuit. Electronics assembly includes processor 224.Processor 224 is controlled by updatable and/or configurable software.Components in electronics assembly 220 are powered by internal battery210.

First electrical contact 212 is a ground line and is electricallyconnected to the battery 210 negative. Second electrical contact 213 canswitch between a first state and a second state. Switch 225 switchessecond electrical contact 213 between a first state and a second state.When electrical contact 213 is in a first state, electrical contact 213is a data programming line. When electrical contact 213 is a dataprogramming line, an external device can be connected to electricalcontact 213 and electrical contact 212 to change a configuration in thesoftware on the processor, update the software on the processor, orreprogram the software on the processor. During programming, a datasignal is applied to electrical contact 213 and a clock signal isapplied to electrical contact 214. The clock signal applied toelectrical contact 214 is filtered to derive a control signal for switch225. When electrical contact 213 is in a second state, electricalcontact 213 is a voltage charging line. When electrical contact 213 is avoltage charging line, an external device can be connected to electricalcontact 213 and electrical contact 212 to recharge battery 210. Whenbattery 210 is being recharged, electrical contact 214 may be left open.

Switch 225 can operate in a variety of ways. In one instance, switch 225can be a multiplexer and be controlled by input from processor 224. Inanother instance, switch 225 may be an analog switch. In one instance(as illustrated), switch 225 is controlled by a filtered clock signal.

Third electrical contact 214 is also accessible from the exterior ofhousing 200. Third electrical 214 contact can receive a clock signalwhen the device is being programmed (in a first state) or may be leftopen or connected to a ground when battery 210 is being charged (in asecond state). In some instances, third electrical contact 214 may beswitched between a first state and a second state by a switch, and inother instances, it may be switched between a first state and a secondstate through a network discrete components. Other methods forimplementing the switching described herein will be apparent to one ofskill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and are within thescope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic diagram 300 of the electrical contactsand related switches that interface with components of the electronicassembly in a battery powered electronic device. While there aremultiple ways to implement the present disclosure, FIG. 3 illustratesone way of doing so.

First electrical contact 310 is a ground contact and is tied to a commonground throughout the electronic device.

Second electrical contact 320 and third electrical contact 330 aremulti-state electrical contacts, and are switched between a first stateand a second state by switch 322 and switch 332, respectively.

When second electrical contact 320 and third electrical contact 330 areeach in a first state, the device is receiving data that can be used toconfigure, reprogram, or update a processor that is part of electronicassembly 360. In this first state, the voltage level on electricalcontact 330 is pulled up to a positive voltage level by the connectionto resistor 339 and the battery positive, causing switch 322 and switch332 to select lines 326 and 336, respectively. When switch 332 selectsline 336, electrical contact 330 is tied to clock line 336. During thisfirst state, a programming device provides a clock signal as input toelectrical contact 330, and thus clock line 336. While the clock inputon electrical contact 330 will oscillate between a positive and negativevoltage, the network (or filter) of resistor (R2) 331 and capacitor (C1)333 ensure that the control signal for each of switch 322 and switch 332is held high so that neither switch opens during programming. In thisway, the signal applied to the third electrical contact can provide aselect signal to switches 322 and 332 to cause them to select lines 326and 336 respectively. During this first state, a data signal istransmitted over electrical contact 320 to reprogram, update, orconfigure the processor.

When second electrical contact 320 and third electrical contact 330 areeach in a second state, the device is receiving input voltage torecharge the internal battery. During the second state (or therecharging process) a positive voltage is applied to second electricalcontact 320 and third electrical contact 330 is grounded (along withfirst electrical contact 310). When third electrical contact 330 is tiedto ground, the input to switches 322 and 332 is sufficiently low tocause each of switches 322 and 332 to open, or to select lines 324 and334, respectively. When second electrical contact 320 is connected toline 324, it is tied to the battery positive and provides power torecharge the internal battery in the device. When third electricalcontact 330 is tied to line 334, it is open and thus grounded. Thisresults in the charger or outside device being connected to both ends tothe internal battery to charge it.

FIG. 4 shows voltage level of signals over time applied to electricalcontacts during a programming state for a battery powered electronicdevice. In the graph shown in FIG. 4, the x-axis represents time. They-axis represents voltage. Signal 420 is a clock signal, and isexemplary of a signal that may be present on a third electrical contactwhen the third electrical contact is in a first state (or a data inputstate). Signal 410 is a data signal, and is exemplary of a signal thatmay be present on a second electrical contact when the second electricalcontact is in a first state. Both signal 410 and signal 420 have a peakto peak voltage of about 1.8 volts.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of voltage levels over time as a battery poweredelectronic device charges. In the graph shown in FIG. 5, the x-axisrepresents elapsed time (in minutes) from the beginning of a cycle ofcharging an internal battery in a battery powered electronic deviceconsistent with the present disclosure. The y-axis as shown in FIG. 5represents on the left side, charge current in milliAmps (mA), and onthe right side, voltage level of the internal battery in Volts (V).Current line 520 illustrates exemplary current levels on a secondelectrical contact when the second electrical contact is in a secondstate (voltage charging state). During charging, a constant current of50 mA is applied to the internal battery for the required time, forexample, about 40 minutes, then the current tapers as the voltage in theinternal battery is increasing to its final, full charge value. Voltageline 510 shows a gradual increase from a decreased voltage level(approximately 2.9 V) to a fully charged voltage level of approximately4.2 V over a period of about 120 minutes. Voltage and current levels forcharging a battery will vary dependent on the device power needs, andthe battery chosen to suit those needs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing voltage levels for a clock signal 620 and afiltered clock 610 signal over time. Clock signal 620 shows more cyclesand is a magnified version clock signal 420 in FIG. 4. In the graphshown in FIG. 6, the x-axis represents time, with the divisions on thex-axis representing about 25 microseconds per division. The y-axisrepresents voltage, with each division representing about 0.5 volts.Signal 620 is a clock signal, and is exemplary of an input clock signalreceived on a third electrical contact when that contact is in a first(data input) state. Signal 610 is derived by filtering signal 620 withan RC filter, and is exemplary of a signal that might be used as acontrol signal for switches 322 and 332 in FIG. 3. Filtering the clockinput signal 620 allows the control input to switches 322 and 332 tostay high even as the clock signal is toggling.

EXAMPLE

FIG. 7 illustrates a prophetic example in the form of a schematicdiagram generated by a circuit simulation program showing how electricalcomponents in a battery powered electronic device may be selected andconnected consistent with the scope of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 7, three electrical contacts are multiplexed in a way such thata first state enables programming while a second state enables chargingof the internal battery in the device.

The three electrical contacts, CHARG− 710, CHARG+ 720 and CM 730, areswitchable between a first and second state to allow eitherreprogramming or charging. This is accomplished with two solid statesingle pole, double throw (SPDT) switches 712 and 722. Switches that maybe used are, for example, SPDT Analog Switch Part Number SN74AUC2G53YZPRavailable from Texas Instruments Incorporated, headquartered in Dallas,Tex.

In a first state, when electrical contact CM 730 is left open, theCHARG+ 720 and CM 730 electrical contacts connect the reprogrammingsignals, SDA 724 and SCL 714, respectively, via switches 722 and 712 toa processor in the device (not shown). Signal SCL 714 is used as acontrol signal to switches 722 and 712 to select which nodes electricalcontacts 710 and 720 are connected to. Signals SDA 724 and SCL 714normally idle in a high state, and an RC network can be used to insurethat the switch control signals (pins D2 in each of switches 712 and722) do not toggle during reprogramming—they are held high during thereprogramming process.

In a second state, to charge the earpiece, electrical contact CM 730 isgrounded (via placement of the device into a charger). Groundingelectrical contact CM 730 configures the electrical contacts CHARG+ 720and CHARG− 730 to charge the battery through the switches 722 and 712,respectively.

Switches 712 and 722 connect the electrical contacts (CHARG+ 720, CM730, CHARG− 710) as follows to affect charging OR reprogramming:

Electrical Contact To charge To program CHARG(+) 720 VBAT SDA 724 CM 730Ground SCL 714 CHARG− 710 Ground Ground

Although the methods and systems of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, those ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that changes andmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure.

In the present detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustratespecific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Theillustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of allembodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes,amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claimsare to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numericalparameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claimsare approximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing theteachings disclosed herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used inthis specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generallyemployed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, “proximate,”“distal,” “lower,” “upper,” “beneath,” “below,” “above,” and “on top,”if used herein, are utilized for ease of description to describe spatialrelationships of an element(s) to another. Such spatially related termsencompass different orientations of the device in use or operation inaddition to the particular orientations depicted in the figures anddescribed herein. For example, if an object depicted in the figures isturned over or flipped over, portions previously described as below orbeneath other elements would then be above or on top of those otherelements.

As used herein, when an element, component, or layer for example isdescribed as forming a “coincident interface” with, or being “on,”“connected to,” “coupled with,” “stacked on” or “in contact with”another element, component, or layer, it can be directly on, directlyconnected to, directly coupled with, directly stacked on, in directcontact with, or intervening elements, components or layers may be on,connected, coupled or in contact with the particular element, component,or layer, for example. When an element, component, or layer for exampleis referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”“directly coupled with,” or “directly in contact with” another element,there are no intervening elements, components or layers for example. Thetechniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety ofcomputer devices, such as servers, laptop computers, desktop computers,notebook computers, tablet computers, hand-held computers, smart phones,and the like. Any components, modules or units have been described toemphasize functional aspects and do not necessarily require realizationby different hardware units. The techniques described herein may also beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.Any features described as modules, units or components may beimplemented together in an integrated logic device or separately asdiscrete but interoperable logic devices. In some cases, variousfeatures may be implemented as an integrated circuit device, such as anintegrated circuit chip or chipset. Additionally, although a number ofdistinct modules have been described throughout this description, manyof which perform unique functions, all the functions of all of themodules may be combined into a single module, or even split into furtheradditional modules. The modules described herein are only exemplary andhave been described as such for better ease of understanding.

If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least inpart by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, whenexecuted in a processor, performs one or more of the methods describedabove. The computer-readable medium may comprise a tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium and may form part of a computer programproduct, which may include packaging materials. The computer-readablestorage medium may comprise random access memory (RAM) such assynchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory(ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic oroptical data storage media, and the like. The computer-readable storagemedium may also comprise a non-volatile storage device, such as ahard-disk, magnetic tape, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk(DVD), Blu-ray disk, holographic data storage media, or othernon-volatile storage device.

The term “processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoingstructure or any other structure suitable for implementation of thetechniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, thefunctionality described herein may be provided within dedicated softwaremodules or hardware modules configured for performing the techniques ofthis disclosure. Even if implemented in software, the techniques may usehardware such as a processor to execute the software, and a memory tostore the software. In any such cases, the computers described hereinmay define a specific machine that is capable of executing the specificfunctions described herein. Also, the techniques could be fullyimplemented in one or more circuits or logic elements, which could alsobe considered a processor.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery-powered electronic device, comprising:a housing enclosing the battery and an electronics assembly, wherein theelectronics assembly is powered by the battery, and wherein theelectronics assembly comprises a processor controlled by updatablesoftware; a first electrical contact that is a ground line; and a secondelectrical contact that is a data programming line in a first state, andthat is a voltage charging line in a second state; a third electricalcontact that is a clock line in a first state, and that is a chargeenable line in the second state; wherein the first, second and thirdelectrical contacts are accessible from outside the housing; wherein aswitch enclosed by the housing changes the second electrical contactbetween the first state and the second state.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the switch is a multiplexer.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe switch is an analog switch.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice comprises no more than three electrical contacts accessible fromthe exterior of the housing.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein theswitch is controlled by a filtered clock signal.
 6. The device of claim1, wherein data received on the data programming line updates thesoftware.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an electronichearing protector.
 8. A method of updating software on a battery-poweredelectronic device, comprising: providing a battery-powered electronicdevice comprising: a housing enclosing the battery and an electronicsassembly, wherein the electronics assembly is powered by the battery,and wherein the electronics assembly comprises a processor controlled byupdatable software; a first electrical contact that is a ground contact;and a second electrical contact that it is a data programming line in afirst state, and that is a voltage charging line in a second state; athird electrical contact that is a clock line in a first state, and thatis a charge enable line in the second state; wherein the first, secondand third electrical contacts are accessible from outside the housing;wherein a switch enclosed by the housing changes the second electricalcontact between the first state and the second state; and transmitting asoftware update to the processor through the second electrical contactwhen the second electrical contact is in the first state.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein the switch is a multiplexer.
 10. The method of claim8, wherein the switch is an analog switch.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the device comprises no more than three electrical contacts. 12.The method of claim 8, wherein the switch is controlled by a filteredclock signal.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the device is anelectronic hearing protector.